Highlights and main attractions of the Kenyan coast
Where rugged wilderness meets the glistening waters of the Indian Ocean, the revered Kenyan coastline is a place of unimaginable beauty. Where gentle trade winds allowed the passage of traditional dhow boats between Arabia and India, traders once saw the area as a favoured spot to exchange spices. The resulting heady mix of imported and indigenous influences from Africa, Arabia and Asia created Swahili culture, which would go on to produce Kenya’s most spoken language. Today, this melting pot of people and cultures is still felt and can be enjoyed alongside excellently preserved marine life and spectacular offshore coral reef system, stunning beaches and mangroves that teem with birdlife, making it a perfect place to unwind once your safari time is over.
The capital, Mombasa, is Kenya’s second largest city and the gateway to some of the finest beaches and resorts in the area. Despite Mombasa’s heavy development for mass tourism, we feature those areas that truly portray the beauty and serenity of the area, away from the tourist hordes. A small coastal town two hours north of Mombasa, Watamu Bay has an impressive coral reef and Swahili influence and is a tranquil destination that also has a National Marine Park, which is a popular day-trip option for snorkelling and exploring the abundant marine life.
The immense 490 kilometre coastline that defines Eastern Kenya is lined with palm trees from where it meets Somalia in the north to Tanzania in the south.